Chickens, Pigs and Goats OH MY!

It is that time of year again. It is the time of year that we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As Americans we have been blessed to live in a land of abundance and wealth. You may not feel wealthy especially in today's economy, but compared to the rest of the world, we are living the 'high life' in the USA. As Christians we also take for granted the ability to worship as we believe and without fear of persecution. Again, not every other citizen of the world is so lucky.

Believe it or not, there are still people in the world who have never heard of Jesus Christ. The Great Commission is still an urgent and real call. Not all of us can go on mission trips and perhaps that is not what we are all supposed to do. We all have different gifts but we are all called to spread the word and love of Jesus Christ.

Christmas 2008 is going to be a bit different for Jonathan and Liam. Certainly the recession has impacted our ability to give them gifts as abundantly as we have in the past. John and I decided that we will start new traditions for the boys and even though the economy prompted us to act-we still feel the boys will be blessed by the changes.

First-we wanted the boys to think outside of themselves and their comfortable upper middle class world in Nashville, TN. Sure, we have the Nashville Rescue Mission and shelters that we all give our time and money to. But what about outside of the USA? John heard about an organization on the radio program , "Focus on the Family." The organization is called Gospel for Asia. They work with missionaries and the low-caste or Dalit (“Untouchable”) families. http://www.gfa.org/

On their website there is a page called "Gifts from the Stable". You are given the option to purchase livestock (goats, water buffalo, chickens, lambs etc.) for a Dalit family. For example, you can purchase a lamb: Lambs are an eternal symbol of God's love for us in the gift of His Son. What better way to share the message of this redemptive love with a poor family than through a lamb that can grow to provide wool for income and milk to drink? A pair of sheep can produce lambs that can be sold at market, and they are also a source of meat. You can share these living symbols of God's love for $65 each or $130 for a pair.

You can donate the livestock in the name of a loved one. Jonathan had 2 pigs purchased in his name that will be given to a needy family. Liam picked out a pair of Chickens and a goat that will be given to a Dalit family in his name. The kids were excited about this and it made them think beyond themselves-which for a teenager and toddler is often difficult to do!



The second big change this year is based on an idea that my sister, Melanie shared with me. The boys will only receive three presents from us this year. THAT in itself will be a shock to their ole systems Christmas morning. However, one of my memories from Christmas 2007 is Liam crying because he was TIRED of opening presents and didn't want to open anymore. Liam literally had about 7 or 8 presents left to open when he had a meltdown from exhaustion. John and I looked at each other and thought, "My gosh. This is not good. We have gone overboard. Never again."

The three gifts will be Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. Not literally of course. The Gold gift will represent a gift that they really, really wanted for Christmas. The Frankincense gift will be something that they need. Finally, the Myrrh gift will be something that will benefit them spiritually. Don't feel too badly for them-they will still receive gifts from other family members!

We felt that by focusing on the true meaning of Christmas, limiting their gifts, giving gifts with a purpose and also giving to others in need, the boys will appreciate Christmas even more.

OK, I will wrap up this long blog by asking a question. Has the economy forced you to change up Christmas this year? OR what traditions does your family have that put the focus of the season where it should be-Jesus Christ? Please email or leave comments...